US FCC to vote on advancing new spectrum auction to boost 'direct to device' services

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to vote on October 29 regarding a fresh auction of wireless spectrum aimed at enhancing direct-to-device services. The FCC announced to Reuters that they will also hold an initial vote on modernizing rules for direct-to-device services, and finalize rules to permit drone operations within the 800 MHz cellular band.

Direct-to-device satellite technology enables smartphones and other devices to connect directly to satellites, with SpaceX, Amazon's Leo, and others developing this technology. The FCC approved SpaceX's request in January to deploy 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, increasing the total to 15,000 satellites. FCC Chair Brendan Carr emphasized that these direct-to-device proposals aim to tackle cell phone dead zones and provide service directly from next-generation satellite constellations to smartphones.

Carr also mentioned that upcoming wireless spectrum auctions over the next few years could generate more than $100 billion in revenue. SpaceX acquired 65 megahertz of wireless spectrum from EchoStar for $19.6 billion through two deals last year, granting Starlink access to mobile services airwaves. The commission approved SpaceX's plan to utilize new spectrum for its direct-to-device expansion on Tuesday.

SpaceX's plan to build a full-fledged mobile service has raised concerns among US wireless sector investors, as the company's proposal could potentially compete with the three major US telecoms. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon recently appointed Paul Roth, a satellite-enabled mobile coverage expert, as their interim chief executive of a new joint venture.